malessere

malaise; unease

noun mah-les-SEH-reh Rare

Origin: From male (bad) + essere (being/to be)

Usage Note

Malessere describes a vague physical or psychological discomfort — a sense of being unwell without a specific diagnosis. It is broader than malattia (illness). The compound male + essere (bad-being) is the standard Italian word for this, more formal than the everyday alternatives. It is normally used in the singular.

Examples

"Accusa un vago malessere da questa mattina."

Natural Translation

He has had a vague feeling of malaise since this morning.

Literal Translation

He-accuses a vague malaise since this morning.

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